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Glite Dictionary
sandy soil

sandy soil

1 2.5
Loose ground made mostly of sand that lets water drain quickly
  • noun
  • /ˈsændi sɔɪl/
translation icon : suelo arenoso
  • We are working with very sandy soil that would be most subject to leaching.
  • sandy soil areas

It's just, you know, typically you're in a sandy soil and you're hydroponically watering this product through irrigation.

Examples

  • According to the study, compost provides plant nutrients, reduces compaction, and helps sandy soil retain water that would otherwise drain below the reach of plant roots.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Scrubby, tenacious pines had taken root in the sandy soil of abandoned farms.

  • In eastern Washington, Roseberry noted that patches of such sandy soil have appeared after several seasons of drought and wind.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The sandy soil drained well, unlike the sloppy clay in the flats.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • As I lugged my gear toward the cabin, I noticed bear tracks in the sandy soil, then claw marks on the cabin door and window frame.

    Academic text (1990)

  • More than 415,000 acres of vegetables are under cultivation in Florida each year, and the state's sandy soils require relatively high fertilizer inputs.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The sandy soil is acidic, supporting several members of the acid-loving heath family: farkleberry, deerberry, and Elliott's blueberry.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Gardeners who grow plants in sandy soil must add nitrogen several times a year.

  • A sandy soil will let water drain through it quickly, making it suitable for certain crops.

Antonyms

loamy
1 6.0

Soil made of sand, fine dirt, and clay that holds water but drains well

How Sandy

sand
485 1.0
sandy soil
1 2.5
loam
3 5.3

Surface Forms

sandy soil singular
sandy soils plural

Morphology

sandy + soil

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'sandy' (containing or resembling sand) + 'soil' (earth), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to soil made largely of sand that drains quickly. This adjective+noun combination is a common, literal pattern cross-linguistically and follows straightforward English compounding, making it immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Sandy soil comes from a simple picture: sandy soil is ground full of sand grains, so water passes through it quickly and the soil feels loose. So, the name means 'soil that drains water quickly' and is 'easy to work' for gardeners.